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A poll released Thursday by the National Education Association finds that a majority of the association's members either "wholeheartedly" support the Common Core State Standards (26%) or support them with "some reservations" (50%). Reservations expressed by teachers include the concern they will not have the resources they need to implement the standards.

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Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association teachers union, said Wednesday the implementation of the Common Core State Standards has been mishandled in many states. A supporter of the common core, Van Roekel said the promise of the standards could be in jeopardy because of the flawed rollout. "It took us six years to develop the standards," he said. "To think you can just roll it out, you can just do this without time, resources or support is crazy."

A majority of superintendents, principals and teachers support Common Core State Standards but remain concerned about implementation, writes Learning First Alliance Deputy Director Anne O'Brien. In this blog post, she analyzes the latest polls, indicating strong support for the common core, but acknowledges worries about assessments and bumpy rollouts. "But we must remember that these implementation concerns are not the same as concerns about the standards themselves. And as we talk about them, we need to make clear that distinction," O'Brien writes.

A poll released Thursday by the National Education Association finds that a majority of the association's members either "wholeheartedly" support the Common Core State Standards (26%) or support them with "some reservations" (50%). Reservations expressed by teachers include the concern they will not have the resources they need to implement the standards.

The National Education Association has endorsed the use of student-achievement data in evaluating teachers, but its members believe current standardized tests are ineffective and should not be factors in assessing teachers. Under the policy adopted at the union's assembly Monday, evaluations would be based on teacher practice, teacher collaboration and student learning. "N.E.A. is and always will be opposed to high-stakes, test-driven evaluations," said Becky Pringle, secretary-treasurer of the union.

President Barack Obama is looking to invest more in merit pay for teachers, and the Department of Education has proposed $517 million for performance pay in the fiscal 2010 budget. National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel said in a statement that the money should go to teachers who earn National Board Certification and seek other professional-development opportunities.